Bottle-labeling machine.



No. 647,043. Patented Apr. l0, I900.

F. C. H. STRASBURGER. BOTTLE LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 11, 1899. {No.Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet \I.

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No. 647,043. Patented Apr. [0, I900. F. c. H. STRASBUBGER.

BOTTLE LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Feb. 11, 1899.) (No Model.) 6 Shegts-Shaaf 2.

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No. 647,043. Patentd Apr. l0, I900. F. c. H. STRASBURGER.

BOTTLE LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 11, 1899.) (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

No. 647.043. Patented Apr. I0, 1900,

F. c. H. STRASBURGEB.

BOTTLE LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 11, 1899.) (No Model.) G'Sheats ShBet 4.

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No. 647,043. Patented Apr. lo. I900. F. c. H. STBASBURGER.

BOTTLE LABELING MACHINE.

(No Model.) (Animation m m 1899') s Sheets-Sheet 5- THE annals PEYERSco. mo'ro'umon wasulmrom 5.1:

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m u Z M m. 647,043. Patented Apr. l0, i900.

F. c. H.,STRASBUBGER.

BOTTLE LABELING MACHINE.

(A umion filed. Feb. 11, 1899.) (No Model.) 6 Shana-Shani I8.

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FRANK C. H. STRASBURGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BOTTLE-LABELING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 647,043, dated April10, 1900.

Application filed February 11, 1899. Serial No. 705,209. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Beitknown that I, FRANK O. H. STRASBUR- GEE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBottle-Labeling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in bottle-labeling machines, andparticularly to that class in which the machine is set in operation whenthe bottle is placed in position to receive the label, although I do notlimit myself in the use of all the devices and mechanisms hereinafterdescribed to a machine of this special type.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a strong andsubstantial machine of this character positive in its action and capableof being operated by any one who is able to insert a bottle in the rightposition.

Another object is to provide a machine which can be easily and quicklyadapted to tle at each complete operation of the machine.

Further objects of the invention are to provide for regularlytransferring the labels from a pile to theaflixing position regardlessof the number of labelsin the pile; to stamp a date, 850., on the backof the label before it is affixed; to apply paste to portions of thelabel at and during the transferring or feeding operation; to press andhold the label against the bottle, so that the affixing devices willaflix it properly on the bottle and in the predetermined position; toink the stamp device at each operation of the machine, and to do manyother things and accomplish numerous other results, which all togetherprovide a strong and simple rapid and accurate automatic machine, all ofwhich will be fully and clearly pointed out hereinafter.

Vith these and other ends in View I have illustrated my invention in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of my improvedmachine, showing the parts in their normal posi tion and a bottle 16 inplace on the rest. Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the middle of themachine, showing the parts in their position when the machine is atrest. Fig. 3 is a'similar View from the other side of the machine, theparts being at rest in their normal position. Fig. 4 is a View similarto Fig. 3, show ing the parts after the bottle has tripped the tripper,the holder has descended to press the label against the bottle, and thecarrying device has swung into engagement with the paste device, theaffixing devices beginning their descent, the label-supply havingcompleted the movement during which it has engaged the stamp device.Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4:, showing the parts at thecompletion of one-half a revolution of the main shaft, the carryingdevice engaging the label-supply, the stamp engaging the inking-pad, theholder and affixin g devices down, and all the parts ready to resumetheir normal positions. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6 ofFig. 2, showing the main shaft and clutch device. Fig. 7 is a plan Viewof the carrying device and holder with their shafts. Fig. 8 is a frontview, enlarged, of the affixing devices. Figs. 9 and lo are detail viewsof the carrying device and labelholder, showing different forms of theseparts. Fig. 11 is a detail View of the label-supplyactuating cam 69.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals of reference denotecorresponding parts in all the figures, 1 designates a frame of any hindsuitable for supporting the different mechanisms of the machine, and 2is the main shaft, provided with a belt-wheel 3, to which power iscommunicated by any preferred means and from any source. A rest 4,having an angular seat therein, is provided for the bottle at the frontof the frame, and it is mounted on a vertically-adjustable support 5,operating through a part of the frame and held in place by anadjusting-screw 6. By this means bottles of any size can beaccommodated, and the angular rest insures that the bottle will he fixedin its proper position to receive the label and held substantiallystationary.

The label is affixed to a bottle by means of devices which descend andpress the label against the bottle, paste having been previously appliedto the back of the label. These devices comprise a pair of arms 7,pivotally mounted on a support 8 and each provided with a toe 9,projecting outwardly from its pivoted end to bear upon a spring 10,located between the support and the toe. The upper ends of the arms areprovided with wipers 11, which engage and press 'the label against thebottle, the wipers shown in the drawings consisting of pieces of heavyflat rubber; but instead of this kind of wiper I may employ rollers,which will accomplish the same result. The springs 10 hold the wipersnormally separated, Fig. 1; but when the support 8 is lowered theshoulders 12 on the arms ride against the friction-rollers 13 on thestuds 14, and this brings the arms together and the wipers into positionto engage the label 15 and bottle 16. The Wipers press against the labeland bottle, Fig. 8, and being elastic they give sufficient to permit thearms to continue their downward movement past the bottle, the bottlebeing removed after the wipers have passed it. The support for the arms7 is carried on avertically-movable bar 17, operating in bearings in theframe and actuated by means of a lever 18, pivoted on the frame andhaving one end engaging with the support and its other end provided witha roller operating in' the grooved cam 19, Fig. 3.

The machine is set in motion by means of a trip device, which isactuated by the placing of a bottle in position in the machine. Thistrip device comprises a plate 20, mounted on a screw 21 and supportedbehind the bottle on a trip-lever 22, pivoted on the frame. The screw isadjusted in the end of the triplever according to the size of thebottles to be labeled and seen red by a thumb-nut 23, thereby providingfor bottles of different size and also to enable the machine to put thelabel on the bottle at any part thereof. By simply adjusting thetrip-plate longer or shorter bottles can be provided for and the labelcan be put on any part of the body, shoulder, or neck of the bottle.

The lower end of the trip-lever is connected to a bar 24, which operatesthe clutch device to throw the machine into and out of action. Onemember 25 of the clutch is rigid with the be1t-wheel3, and the othermember 26 is fixed on the main shaft, Fig. 6. A spring-actuatedclutch-bolt 27is carried by the shaft member 26, and it is adapted to beforced forward by its spring 28 to engage one of a series of holes 29 inthe face of the belt-wheel member 25. The clutch-bolt is provided with apin 30, carrying a roller 31, which engages a cam 32, Figs. 1 and 7, onthe end of the bar 24 when the machine is at rest; but when thisclutchbar is drawn forward by the operation of the tripper device theroller 31 is released from engagement with the cam 32, and theclutchbolt is projected forward to enter a hole 29 in the member 25, andthereby effect an engagement of the two clutch members and start themachine in motion. The spring 33 returns the clutch-bar and cam 32 intoposition to be engaged by the roller 31, w ich causes the clutch-bolt tobe withdrawn, opens the clutch, and stops the machine.

Each label is carried from the pile into position above the bottle-rest4 by a swinging device comprising a forked or bifurcated arm 34, rigidlymounted on the rock-shaft 35, Figs. 2 and 7. A pinion 36 is fixed onthis carrier rock-shaft, and it meshes with a segmental rack 37 on thelabel-carrier grooved actuating-cam 38, pivoted on the frame. A shaft 39is journaled in bearings in the frame, and it carries an arm 40, havinga roller which operates in the groove of the cam 38, and also agear-wheel 41, Figs. 1 and 3, which meshes with another gear-wheel 42 onthe main shaft. The carrying-arm device is swung back to get a label,Fig. 5, and forward to carry it into position to be affixed to thebottle, Figs. 2 and 3, by the cam 38, the rack 37 rocking the shaftthrough the pinion 36.

The swinging label-carrying arm 34 is provided with a roughened orcorrugated portion 43, which engages the paste-roller 44 when it isswung back, Fig. 4, and pushes the paste roller and pot 45 backward,Fig. 5. A springscraper 44 is fastened on the pot and bears against thepaste-roller to scrape off the surplus paste. The paste-pot is supportedon the arms 46, which are provided on their ends with rollers 47 totravel horizontally in the ways 48 on the sides of the frame. Afeedroller 50, having a roughened surface, is located below thepaste-roller, and it is held in contact therewith by the spring-arm 51.The pot is returned to its normal forward position by the levers 52,mounted on the rock-shaft 53,the upper ends of these levers being forkedto receive the arms 54 on the paste-pot. A cam 55 on the main shaftengages the lower end of the lever 52 and aetuates it to carry thepaste-pot from its rearward position, Fig. 5, to its normal forwardposition, Fig. 3. A spring 34 is carried on the shaft 35, which travelswith the arm 34 and engages a stop 35 on the frame to lessen the jarwhen the carrying-arm reaches the limit of its rearward movement.

The roughened portion of the arm 43 engages the paste-roller first, andas the pastepot is forced rearward that part of the arm which takes upthe label rides over the pasteroller and receives sufficient paste tocause the label to stick thereto and take oif enough to stick to thebottle when pressed thereon. The parts are so timed that after the carrying-arm has picked up a label it swings back to its forward position andthe paste-pot is moved forward by the cam 55.

In order to hold the label against the bottle during the affixingoperation and also to release the label from the carrying device, Iprovideaholdercomprising an arm 56, mount ed 011 a holder rock-shaft 57,which also carries a pinion 58. This pinion meshes with a toothedsegment 59 on one end of the lever 60, which is pivoted to the frame,and has its other end provided with a roller, which operates in thegrooved cam 61 on the shaft 39, Fig. 3. This holding-arm swings downwhen the machine is started and engages the label between the forked endof the carrying-arm and holds the label against the. bottle, permittingthe carrying-arm to swing backwithout the label.

The labels are arranged in a pile 62 in the label-holder 63, which issuitably mounted on the vertically-movable rod 64. This rod is moveddownward and held by an arm 65 on the rock-shaft 67, the arm engaging aroller 66, carried on the rod. Another arm 68 is fixed on this shaft,and it operates in contact with a cam 69 on the main shaft. A spring 70on the rod 64 moves the rod upward when the pressure of the arm 65 isremoved to carry the pile of labels upward, first, against adating-stamp, and, second, against the label-carrying arm, the cam 69being provided with two cavities 71 72 to accomplish this movement ofthe rod 64. The labels are arranged in the pile bottom up, and adating-stamp 73, Fig. 3, of any suitable kind, is carried on thespring-pressed rod 7 4, supported from the arm 75 on the paste-pot, sothat in the first upward movement of the pile of labels the back of thetop label in the pile will be brought against the stamp to receive animpression of the date or any other desired information from the stamp.The pile of labels is then carried down sufficient to permit the stampto move with the paste-pot rearward, and when the pile of labels nextmoves upward to bring the top label into contact with the carrying-arm,Fig. 5, the stamp engages an inking-pad 76, supported on an arm 77,secured on the label-supporting rod 64. The spring 70 always carries thelabels up far enough to engage the stamp and the carryingarm, regardlessof the number of labels in the pile, and also carries the inking-pad upto engage the stamp.

To hold the label-carrying arm rigid when the pile of labels is broughtup against it, I provide a locking device comprising a latch 78, Fig. 2,pivoted on the frame and normally drawn forward by a spring 79, so thatit will engage a lug on the shaft 36 and temporarily lock the arm 34 inits rearward position. The latch is released by the arm 40, which swingsaround and engages the latch on its edge 81, forcing the latch backwarduntil the lug 80 is disengaged therefrom and permitting the arm 34 toswing forward with the label.

I provide a compensating device on the holder rock-shaft 57, so that itmay always move in the same are regardless of the precise limit ofdownward movement of the holder-arm, which will vary in its movementwith the size of the bottle and its position on the rest. The holdenarm,Fig. 8, is mounted on a collar 82, which has a cut-out 83 at one side,in which the pin S4c on the shaft 57 operates. A spring 85, fastened onthe shaft, forces the holder-arm down when the shaft rocks, and eventhough the arm does not move to the limit of its possible downwardmovement, as controlled by the movement of the shaft, the latter maycontinue to complete its movement by reason of the cut-out 83. The pin84. engaging the collar carries the holder-arm back to its uprightposition when the shaft rocks backward.

The forked end of the label-carrying arm applies sufficient paste to thelabel to cause it to stick to the bottle, and this paste is applied tothe side edges of the label where the carrying-arm contacts therewith,7. It is obvious, therefore, that the shape of the forked end of the armwill preferably be varied to suit labels of different size, and toaccomplish this a variety of arms may be provided, although two or threewill be sufficient for all ordinary uses. If an angular label is used,the arm would be shaped as indicatedin Fig. 9, so that paste would beapplied to the corners or corner edges only. The same result can beaccomplised, of course, by simply changing the ends of the forked partof the carrying-arm. be preferably shaped to correspond with the shapeof the label, and such a holder as is shown in Fig. 10 would be usedwith labels of that angular character and with the carryingarm shown inFig. 9. I

The operation of the machine is entirely automatic, and the power isapplied to set the parts in action by the insertion of the bottle inposition to receive a label. Assuming that the carrying-arm issupporting a label 15 in its normal position, Fig. 3, while the machineis at restfthe first operation is to place a bottle on the rest 4 andagainst the tripper 20, the several parts of the machine having beenpreviously adjusted to accommodate the particular label and bottle whichare used. When the tripper is tripped by being pushed back by thebottle, the clutch-bar 24 is withdrawn to release the cam 32 from theclutchbolt 27, thereby permitting this bolt to move forward into one ofthe holes 29 and throw the clutch. The main shaft is then rotated andthe holder-arm is swung down upon the label held by the carryingarm andpresses it against the bottle. At this time, also, the pile of labels iscarried up against the stamp and down again. The carrying -arm thenswings upward and back against the pasteroller, Fig. 4, and pushes thepaste-pot back until the arm has cleared the paste-roller and swung downinto position to engage the labelpile. The pile of labels then moves upto engage the carrying-arm, and the stamp is inked at the same time. Thecarrying-arm is locked by the latch just as soon as it reaches theposition shown in Fig. 5. Meanwhile the affixing devices have beencarried down "against the label and affixed it to the bottle.

The label-holder will also The bottle is then removed, the parts of themachine return to their normal position, and the carrying-arm supportsanother label in position for the next bottle.

It will be observed that the operations of the several parts of themachine are positive and automatic and are set in motion by theinsertion of the bottle in the machine. Therefore the machine can beoperated by any one who is able to place a bottle in the machine, and noparticular skill is required for this pu rpose. The machine alsooperates very rapidly and accurately, is free of weak parts, and doesnot easily get out of order.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination with a bottle-rest, amain shaft and a clutch mechanism, of a trip-lever pivoted in the frameof the machine adjacent to the bottle-rest and projecting upward inposition to be engaged and operated by pressing the bottle against saidlever when the bottle is inserted in the machine, to set the machine inaction, substantially as described.

2. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination with a bottle-rest, ofa vertically-arranged trip device projecting up behind the bottle-restto be engaged and operated by the bottle and capable of being adjustedto accommodate bottles of diiferent lengths, substantially as described.

3. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of a bottle-rest and atripper device located behind the bottle-rest and comprising a leverpivoted in the frame of the machine, and an adjustable plate carried bysaid lever and arranged to be engaged by the bottom of the bottle whenthe latter is inserted in the machine .on the rest, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of a label-supplyholder,aflixing means, a label-carrier moving in the arc of a circle andnormally holding a label in position to be affixed, a clutch mechanismfor throwing the machine into and out of action, and a tripper device inposition to be operated by pressing the bottle against said device whenthe bottle is arranged in the machine for throwing the clutch andthereby causing the affixin g means to affix the label, said affixingmeans and carrier being so timed that the former operates while thelatter swings back to the label-supply and carries another labeltherefrom into position to be affixed to the next bottle, substantiallyas described.

5. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of a bottle-rest, alabel-supply holder, aifixing means, apivoted label-carrier moving inthe arc of a circle, a clutch mechanism for throwing the machine intoand out of action, and a pivoted tripper device located adjacent to thebottle-rest and adapted to be rocked by pressing the bottle against saiddevice when the bottle is arranged in the machine to throw the clutch,substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of a label-supplyholder,affixing means, a swinging device for carrying the label from thesupply into position to be affixed, a clutch mechanism for throwing themachine into and out of action, and a trip device projecting upward inthe path of the bottle and adapted to be operated by pressing the bottleagainst the same when the bottle is arranged in the machine forautomatically throwing the clutch and starting the machine,substantially as described.

7. In abottle-labeling machine, the combination of a label-supplyholder, a bottle-rest, affixing means,acontinuously-rotatingpowerwheel,a clutch mechanism for throwing the machine into and out of operativeconnection therewith, a rock-shaft, a trip device carried by saidrock-shaft and located adjacent to the bottle-rest, whereby the placingof a bottle in proper position on the rest will press against the tripdevice and throw the clutch and set the machine in action, alabel-carrier holding a label in position to be affixed when the machineis unclutched, and mechanism operating when the machine is started tocause the carrier to discharge its label and carry another from thesupply into position to be affixed to the next bottle, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination with a label-supplyholder and affixing means, of a swinging device for carrying a labelfrom the supply into position to be affixed to a bottle, and a devicefor locking the carrying device temporarily in its rearward position,substantially as described.

9. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination with a label-s upplyholder and affixing means, of a device for carrying a label from thesupply into position to be affixed to a bottle, means for moving thesupply of labels into contact with the carrying device, and a latchdevice for locking the carrying device just before it is engaged by thesupply of labels, substantially as described.

10. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of a label supplyholder, affixing means, a forked device for carrying a label from thesupply into position to be affixed, a holder mounted between the pivotof the carrier and the bottle and arranged to operate between the forkedend of the carrier to press and hold the label against the bottle andrelease it from the carrier so that the carrier may return for anotherlabel while the first is being affixed, a clutch device, and a tripperin position to be operated by the bottle when it is inserted in themachine to throw the clutch and cause the holder to descend and engagethe label and actuate the affixing means and carrier, substantially asdescribed.

11. Ina labeling-machine, the combination with a device for supporting abottle therein,

of a rock-shaft traveling in a fixed are, a holder mounted on saidrock-shaft and adapted to be actuated thereby, and means for permittingthe rock-shaft to complete its movement without carrying the holder tothe full limit of its downward movement, substantially as described.

12. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination with a device forsupporting a label therein, of a rock-shaft traveling in a fixed are, aholder loosely mounted on said shaft, and connections between therock-shaft and the holder whereby the holder is carried down to press onthe label and bottle and returned to its upright position by the rockingmovement of the shaft, substantially as described.

13. In a bottlelabeling machine, the combination of a label-supplyholder, affixing means, a swinginglabel-carrying device, and a pastedevice reciprocating in horizontal ways above the label-supply andprovided at its front with a paste-roller arranged in the path of theswinging label-carrying device during a part of its rearward movementand adapted to be engaged and pushed rearward in its ways by the carrieras it swings backward and slides over the paste-roller in its passage tothe label-supply, substantially as described.

14. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of a label-supplyholder at the back of the machine, affixing means at the front of themachine, a swinging label-carrier, a horizontally-reciprocating pastedevice traveling in ways and arranged in the path of and adapted to bepushed by said carrier during its rearward movement to get a label fromthe supply, and means for returning the paste device to its normalforward position after the carrier has carried a label from the supplyinto position to be affixed, substantially as described.

15. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination with a swinginglabeLcarrier, of a paste device travelingin horizontal ways and normallyin a forward position, within the are of the circle described by thecarrier, while the carrier is holding a label in position to be aflixed,and adapted to be engaged by the carrier on its rearward movement andpushed backward thereby out of the way of the carrier as the lattermoves to the limit of its rearward movement, and means for returning thepaste device, substantially as described.

16. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination with a label-supplyholder and a swinging-carrier, of a horizontally-reciprocating pastedevice, said device being pushed backward by the carrier when it swingsdown to the label-supply to get a label and remaining in this positionuntil the carrier swings forward again, and means for returning thepaste device to its forward position, substantially as described.

17. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of a label-supplyholder, affixing means, a device for carryinga label from the supplyinto position to be affixed to a bottle, a horizontally-movable pastedevice arranged in the path of the label-carrying device on its rearwardmovement, and a holder device mounted between the pivot of the carryingdevice and the bottle for pressing and holding the label against thebottle before the affixing means begin to operate to disengage the labelfrom the carrying device and hold it properly on the bottle whiletheaffixing means operate, substantially as described.

18. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of avertically-movable label-supply holder, vertically-operating affixingmeans, a swinging label-carrier, a swinging holder, a paste devicereciprocating horizontally above the label-supply, a main shaft, aclutch mechanism on said shaft, and a tripper device connected with saidclutch and adapted to beoperated by the insertion of a bottle in themachine to set the machine in action and operate the holder, carrier,affixing means and labelsupply holder and return the paste device to itsforward position after the carrier has carried another label intoposition to be affixed, substantially as described.

19. In alabeling-machine, the combination with a holder for a supply oflabels and means for affixing a label to a bottle, of a swinging devicefor carrying a label from the supply into position to be affixed to abottle, a movable paste device arranged in the path of thelabel-carrier, a stamp carried by said paste device and adapted toengage the top label in the supply before it is carried into position tobe affixed to a bottle, and an inking-pad arranged behind thelabel-supply to ink the stamp after it has engaged the label,substantially as described.

20. Inalabeling-machine, the combination with a holder for a supply oflabels, of a device for carrying a label from the supply into positionto be affixed to a bottle, a stamp, and means for moving the supply oflabels into contact first with the stamp and'then with the carryingdevice, substantially as described.

21. In alabeling-machine, the combination with a holder for a supply oflabels, of a device for carrying a label from the supply into positionto be affixed to a bottle, a stamp and an inking-pad, and a means whichmoves the supply of labels into contact With the carrying device andalso the inking-pad against the stamp, substantially as described.

22. In a labeling-machine, the combination with a holder for a supply oflabels, of a swinging device for carrying the labels from the supplyinto position to be affixed to a bot tle, a printing device, means formoving the top label of the supply into contact first with the printingdevice and then with the carrying device, and means forlocking thecarrying device in position to receive the said label, substantially asdescribed.

23. In a bottle-labeling machine, which is normally at rest, thecombination with vertically-0perating affixing means, of averticallymovable and spring-pressed label -supply holder, a pivotedswinging device for carrying a label from the supply into position to beaffixed, a horizomany-reciprocating paste device arranged in the path ofthe carrier during a part of its rearward movement and adapted to bepushed backward thereby, means for returning the paste device to itsforward position after the carrier has carried forward a label, a mainshaft, a clutch mechanism, and i FRANK c. H. S'TRASBURGER.

Witnesses:

WM. 0. BELT, I; C. HAHN.

